Brain activity linked to balance problems in Parkinson's disease
Neuromechanical modeling of postural responses: Cortical mechanisms of balance impairments in Parkinson's disease
This project records brain waves and balance responses to uncover brain signals tied to balance problems and falls in people with Parkinson's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160738 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will stand on a platform that gives controlled, gentle pushes while wearing a high-density EEG cap and sensors that record muscle activity. The team will capture brain and muscle responses on a millisecond time scale to see how your body loses and recovers balance. They will compare these patterns across people with Parkinson's to pinpoint brain activity tied to perception, thinking, and movement problems. The findings aim to connect specific brain circuit changes to the balance problems you experience.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's disease who have balance problems or a history of falls and who can safely stand for short testing sessions.
Not a fit: People without Parkinson's, or those with medical or cognitive issues that prevent safe participation or standing, are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help develop personalized treatments that improve balance and reduce falls for people with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: The team’s prior studies have shown brain activity patterns linked to balance in Parkinson's, but using these signals as biomarkers for personalized therapy is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ting, Lena H — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Ting, Lena H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.